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Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun asserted that Iran controls the Strait and that it remains open for Chinese vessels.
US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the US Navy would begin blockading maritime access to Iranian ports .
China on Monday (local time) issued a stark warning to the United States against its decision to impose a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz and cautioned it not to interfere in China’s relations with Iran.
Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun said that Beijing would honour its trade and energy commitments with Tehran, saying Chinese vessels would keep operating in the area and warned against external interference.
“Our ships are moving in and out of the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. We have trade and energy agreements with Iran. We will respect and honour those agreements and expect others not to interfere in our affairs,” he said.
He also asserted that Iran controls the Strait and that it remains open for Chinese vessels.
Beijing’s warning came after at least two oil and chemical tankers were forced to turn away from the Strait of Hormuz after the US imposed a naval blockade, according to maritime tracking data. One of the vessels, Rich Starry, which had listed its destination as China, reportedly reversed course within minutes of the blockade taking effect, data from MarineTraffic showed.
The waterway is extremely crucial for Beijing as it supplies nearly 40 per cent of its oil and at least 30 per cent of its LNG needs.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy corridor, with a significant share of the world’s oil passing through it. Any disruption to shipping in the region has immediate implications for global markets and energy security.
The blockade was enforced by the United States on Monday, with President Donald Trump announcing that vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports would be stopped. He also issued a strong warning to Iran’s naval forces, saying any “fast-attack” boats approaching US ships would be “eliminated.”
“If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the blockade would target all vessels entering or exiting Iranian ports. In a statement, CENTCOM added that the move would be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations” using ports and coastal areas, including those along the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
The move came after talks between the US and Iran failed to produce an agreement following a temporary ceasefire.
April 14, 2026, 01:18 IST
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